a specific shade of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific shade of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a particular color or tone within a broader color category. Example: "She chose a specific shade of blue for the living room walls to create a calming atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It is really a specific shade of red – scarlet – that must carry the can.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I forgot to mention that the triangle in question was a specific shade of red: scarlet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I didn't support the colors of a jersey or a specific shade of skin, not even my own.

The New Yorker

The row revolved around a specific shade of purple – defined as Pantone 2685C – which the Birmingham-based manufacturer maintains it has used since the first world war.

The Guardian - Business

He famously trademarked a specific shade of blue – Jay Z Blue – which he hoped to exploit, starting with making it the paintwork on a branded Chrysler luxury SUV.

The Guardian - Business

In fact, T-Mobile's definition of magenta appears to have expanded beyond its original trademark; rather than owning a specific shade of pink, the company is now claiming nearby colors, as well.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

One might enjoy an immediate awareness of a sense datum as having a certain specific shade of color for which one has no preexisting concept.

SEP

Regardless of how short the interval between two presentations of a specific shade it is reasonable to suppose that an organism is capable of perceiving the shade in all its fineness of grain without being capable of recognizing it as the shade presented earlier.

SEP

While traditional projection screens come in pearly white in order to evenly reflect the whole spectrum of visible light, the new display reflects only a single, specific shade of blue.

Science Magazine

Agricool ended up hiring someone to design its own LED with a specific shade.

TechCrunch

Like the distinction between genus and species, the distinction between determinables and determinates is a relative one; redness is a determinate with respect to color but a determinable with respect to specific shades of red.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a color, be as precise as possible by specifying "a specific shade of" the color. This helps in clear communication and avoids ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'a blue wall', say 'a specific shade of blue' like 'cerulean' or 'navy'.

Common error

Avoid using overly broad color terms without specifying the "a specific shade of". Instead of saying 'I want a red dress', be more precise: 'I want a dress in a specific shade of red, like crimson or scarlet' to guide the search and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific shade of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (typically a color name) to indicate a particular variation or tone within that color category. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts to add precision to color descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific shade of" is a versatile phrase used to add precision when describing colors. It's grammatically correct, widely used across various contexts, and serves the purpose of differentiating between various tones within a color category. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is helpful in both formal and informal communication, particularly when accuracy is important. While alternatives like "a particular hue of" or "a precise tone of" exist, "a specific shade of" remains a common and effective choice for conveying color details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular hue of

Replaces 'specific shade' with 'particular hue', emphasizing the quality of color.

a precise tone of

Substitutes 'shade' with 'tone', highlighting the exactness of the color.

a distinct color of

Uses 'distinct color' instead of 'specific shade', focusing on the uniqueness.

a unique tint of

Replaces 'shade' with 'tint', stressing the individuality of the color.

a certain depth of color

Emphasizes the depth and intensity of the color rather than just the shade.

a nuanced variation of color

Highlights the subtle differences in color.

an exact coloration of

Focuses on the precise and accurate coloring.

a defined chromaticity of

Uses a more technical term to describe the color's characteristics.

a specialized gradient of

Describes a gradient where the shading is unique.

a particular color depth in

Focuses on color depth rather than shade

FAQs

How can I use "a specific shade of" in a sentence?

You can use "a specific shade of" to describe a particular color or tone. For example, "She painted the room a specific shade of blue to create a calming atmosphere."

What's the difference between "a specific shade of" and "a type of" when describing color?

"A specific shade of" refers to a particular variation of a color, whereas "a type of" refers to a category or kind. For example, "a specific shade of red" could be crimson, while "a type of red" might refer to a paint formula or pigment.

What can I say instead of "a specific shade of" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "a particular hue of" or "a precise tone of" instead of "a specific shade of" in more formal contexts.

Is it necessary to always specify "a specific shade of" when describing colors?

No, it's not always necessary, but it can be helpful for clarity when precision is important. If the exact color matters, using "a specific shade of" ensures that the intended color is understood. Otherwise, "a color of" might suffice.